You reach Rivington right at the start of Act 3, and it’s absolutely worth slowing down there instead of rushing straight into the city.

Quick Scoop: What to Do in Rivington (BG3)

Think of Rivington as Act 3’s “outer hub”: a mix of refugee drama, murder mysteries, and a bunch of sneaky entrances into Baldur’s Gate proper.

1. Pick Up the Big Quests First

These set the tone for Act 3 and often tie into the main story later.

  1. Open Hand Temple Murders
    • Go to the Open Hand Temple on the main street and investigate the murder there.
 * This quest leads you into secret areas under the temple and eventually connects to a larger murder plot in the city.
  1. Steel Watch / Gortash Introduction
    • Cross the bridge toward the city gate and show your pass when the Steel Watch automatons stop you.
 * You’re brought before **Gortash** , who makes you an offer; fighting him here is “absurdly difficult,” so most players either accept or politely refuse for now.
  1. Help the Devilish Ox
    • Near the Rivington entrance, a seemingly normal ox asks for help getting into Baldur’s Gate.
 * If you agree, it turns into an apple you must carry into the Lower City to complete the quest; skipping this before entering the city can permanently lock it out and even count as oathbreaking for certain paladins.

2. Explore the Refugee Camp and Barn

Rivington’s refugee area is packed with story flavor, loot, and a nice early Act 3 “vibe check.”

  • Talk to refugees and Flaming Fist guards around the camp for lore, minor rewards, and context about what’s happening in Baldur’s Gate.
  • In the requisitioned barn , you can:
    • Donate supplies or gold to support the refugees.
* Investigate **suspicious toys** in a crate, which kicks off “Investigate the Suspicious Toys” and leads you to confront the person who tampered with them.

3. Dive into Side Content and Hidden Spots

Rivington is full of little “don’t miss this” locations that give loot, XP, and story hooks.

  • The Well by Open Hand Temple
    • Near the temple, you can inspect a well that triggers a Perception check.
* Use the bucket mechanism to descend, find bodies, and grab some worthwhile loot while learning more about the area’s troubles.
  • Abandoned Windmill
    • On the raised fields above town is an abandoned windmill with a unique NPC inside.
* You can choose to help or kill this character; it’s not a main quest, but it’s a cool role‑play and reward moment.
  • Post House & Tressym Cat
    • Near the bridge is the post office / courier building.
* On the temple roof you can meet a **Tressym (winged cat)** guarding a ring and some letters; you can chat with it and decide what to do about its shiny treasure.

4. Start Quest Chains That Pay Off Later

Some Rivington quests are the first link in longer chains that keep paying out in Baldur’s Gate.

  • Find Missing Letters
    • Starts in the post office ; it’s extra fun with Gale in the party due to his reactions.
  • Investigate Cazador’s Palace (Astarion)
    • Monster hunters on a hill in the area give you a lead that ties into Astarion’s personal quest ; having him present gives special dialogue.
  • Help the Devilish Ox (again)
    • Make sure you actually take the apple into the Lower City later so you don’t soft‑fail the quest.

5. Follow Up Older Threads from Earlier Acts

Rivington is where some earlier loose ends can finally be tied up.

  • In the underground areas linked to the temple murder investigation, you can resolve the “Help the Cursed Monk” quest from Act 1 if you started it.
  • Exploring thoroughly down there reveals enemies (including doppelgangers) and a hidden blade you can uncover with a Perception check.

6. When to Leave Rivington

Once you’ve:

  • Solved or advanced the Open Hand Temple Murders
  • Checked the well , windmill , and barn
  • Decided what to do with Gortash’s offer at the gate
  • Grabbed key side quests (Devilish Ox, letters, suspicious toys, Astarion tie‑in)

…you’re in a good place to push into Wyrm’s Crossing and then the Lower City without feeling under‑leveled or under‑geared.

TL;DR: In Rivington, slow down, grab all the quests (especially the temple murders and Devilish Ox), explore the well, windmill, barn, and post house, and use it as your soft onboarding to Act 3’s politics and big villain introductions.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.